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Topic: Hilton or Telonics VP |
Dennis Manuel
From:
Quesnel, B.C., Canada
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Posted 21 May 2012 10:20 am |
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| Going to buy either a Hilton or a Telonics volume pedal. Which one would you buy and why? |
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Chas. J. Wagner
From:
Denver, Colorado USA
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 21 May 2012 11:26 am
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I have used just about every foot volume control over the years.
And I had to give the Telonics pedal a go.
I was using a Hilton pedal at the time.
I got a Telonics on trial and did a back and forth test with it and the Hilton. I could NOT see enough difference in the two pedals to justify changing from the Hilton to a Telonics. |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 21 May 2012 2:33 pm
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I have recently purchased a Telonics VP and although I do not have anything negative to say about Hilton...
If you want I would happily sell you my used Hilton.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 22 May 2012 12:46 pm
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Well- you do get something for the extra money, and you have to decide if what you get is worth it....as you do when deciding to spend more for a Hilton compared to a pot pedal...
They are certainly both fine pedals (I leave a Hilton at practice space and use Telonics for gigs and recording)...I believe that the Telonics does have a more accurate transfer of input to output and lower noise, but if you can't hear it, then it might not matter to you....
The Telonics has a lot more ability to adjust to your individual style - if the new-style Hilton is perfect for you, then there it is....you are done.
I had a new-style Hilton (detachable power supply) but ended up really preferring the old style Hilton volume taper (or the Goodrich pot pedal taper, which is similar), which is much different than the new style....with the Telonics you can just switch it into whatever taper you like. I really found it useful to be able to switch back and forth between pot pedal tapers, active pedal tapers, etc. And I might switch again later..
Plus I'd say that the build quality in the Telonics is at a different level, a lone guy can't compete with a high tech electronics company in that area....Keith Hilton is extremely responsive when people have broken pedals, but Telonics says that they pretty much never have a broken pedal problem - it is mostly user error (broken guitar cable, etc.)
Telonics is actually in a different electronics business, but the guy in charge is a steel player and did the pedal (and the pickups) as a labor of love, not as a profit making part of the company...I've had many great conversations with him.
_________________
https://www.lostsailorspdx.com
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor |
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Steve Dodson
From:
Sparta, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2012 8:33 am Hilton or Telonics
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yeah, what Steve Lipsey said.  |
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Jeff Valentine
From:
Colorado Springs, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2012 7:30 pm
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They're both great VPs, and each have an influence on the sound. You might try and test drive them if possible. I own both, and haven't had either of them steer me wrong. I personally love the Telonics pedal. They make great products, and constantly ask the users about ways to improve on what they have. I don't think you can find better customer service out there.
-Jeff |
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 6 Jun 2012 3:03 am
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| I'm sure the Hilton is a first class product, everyone who owns one seem to like them. But the Telonics is in a league of its own in terms of finish and adjustability, nothing comes close. Sure, it's a lot more expensive, but easily worth the extra cost. The term "built like a tank" is rarely appropriate, but in this case it actually is – the Telonics pedal seems more or less indestructible. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 6 Jun 2012 7:10 am
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In my mind, the Telonics pedal is "over kill".
After all, all we want to do is control the noise coming out of this combination cheese slicer and Singer sewing machine we play.
We're not trying to get to the moon.  |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 6 Jun 2012 11:05 am
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Erv-
I would agree with you, on the surface....but it is sort of like driving a Camry, which is a great car and which gets you places just fine, and then trying a Mercedes....still gets you there, but the experience is totally different....and you would buy one if you could afford it. You feel "connected" to your steel in a way that other pedals simply don't do...and once you've done it, it is hard to go back.
Why else would anybody ever bother with it? Sort of like, why do some people play an Emmons? They talk about the responsive "feel" of playing an Emmons as much as about the sound....
So, yes, it is still just a volume pedal, but it isn't crazy at all....
_________________
https://www.lostsailorspdx.com
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor |
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Dave Bertoncini
From:
Sun City West, Arizona USA
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Posted 6 Jun 2012 4:39 pm
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Erv
If you shoot for the moon...you will surely get over the fence!!! |
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Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2012 1:11 pm
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I've got both and can't really tell any tonal difference but I really like that bright blue light. My Hilton is older model with hardwired wall wart and never had a lick of trouble with it. Inever really messed with the Teltronics setting, I just set on Hilton setting and have never moved it.
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Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 7 Jun 2012 2:25 pm
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i've had both & found them both to be of excellent sound quality, manufacture & guarantee !
no great diff in sound & quality other than the Telonics has more options
Budget's the boss  |
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Scott Appleton
From:
Ashland, Oregon
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Posted 7 Jun 2012 10:25 pm volume
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Hilton keep my goodrich for backup .. never had a problem until a bad battery converter wiped out a bunch of my gear one time .. keith fixed it no hassle ..
I like my Goodrich just fine as well but the Hilton is quieter and smoother all around .. |
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Philip Mitrakos
From:
The Beach South East Florida
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Posted 15 Jun 2012 5:09 am
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...
Last edited by Philip Mitrakos on 16 Jun 2012 7:34 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2012 5:21 pm
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A Hilton is an expensive volume pedal...
If you want something better it will cost you..
I could play through my Ernie Ball pedal and most folks wouldn't know the difference...
But I can tell the difference.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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